Tag Archives: St. Louis arts

Arts & Culture Events for Preschoolers, Arts & Culture for Kids

Baby Got Bach event returns to St. Louis

Have you and your child experienced Baby Got Bach yet? This entertaining and high quality production returns to St. Louis on Saturday, November 24, 2012 at 10:30 am, Centene Plaza, 7700 Forsyth Road. Baby Got Bach is a classical music interactive event for 3 to 6 year olds founded by internationally known pianist Orli Shaham.

The first 30 minutes of Baby Got Bach features Backstage Up Front in the lobby area, where children can explore real instruments, learn about sound, and meet musicians from the St. Louis Symphony. Immediately following in the performance hall, audience members sing familiar songs, play rhythm sticks and small percussion instruments (this is a bit of the “get out the wiggles” portion of Baby Got Bach), and hear a chamber music concert. The concert portion features pianist Orli Shaham, St. Louis Symphony percussionist Thomas Stubbs, and other St. Louis Symphony musicians.

Music will include:

Johann Sebastian Bach: Invention in C Major
Beata Moon: The Curious Engine
Steve Reich: Clapping Music
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov: Flight of the Bumblebee

Reservations
The Baby Got Bach performance is FREE, but advance reservations are strongly recommended. Online reservations can be made starting on Monday, November 12, 2012 at noon. All the spots for previous St. Louis performances were filled within one or two days, so be sure to plan ahead! Seating is limited. Walk-ins without reservations may be admitted, space permitting.

Tips
* Paid parking is available at the Centene Plaza garage. Street parking is free and fairly ample on Saturdays.
* The St. Louis Symphony, The Centene Charitable Foundation, and numerous individuals donate their time and funds to the nonprofit, Baby Got Bach. Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Baby Got Bach.
* The program runs from 10:30 am to about 12:10 pm, so it is prime snack or lunch time for many young children. The format is casual, so feel free to take your child out to the lobby for a break or snack if she/he needs it.
* The concert will include music by living composers. This is a great opportunity to point out how all the music we hear everywhere in movies, television, commercials, games, etc… is written by someone and how kids can learn how to compose music too.
* Questions? Contact Baby Got Bach through their web site.

About Orli Shaham, Artistic Director, Host, and Pianist
Orli Shaham got an early start in her music career. She began playing piano at age four, and got her first music scholarship when she was five. Just a couple years later, she began her studies at The Juilliard School with Herbert Stessin. That was the beginning of a flood of prestigious performances and awards, launching her international career. Ms. Shaham has performed with many of the world’s great orchestras and has been lauded for her recitals at Carnegie Hall, the 92nd Street Y, and Lincoln Center, as well as many other renowned concert halls around the globe. Ms. Shaham has 5 year old twins Nathan and Alex and college-age stepsons Peter and Jonathan. She lives in St. Louis and New York with her husband, St. Louis Symphony music director David Robertson.

Photo by Jennifer Lin. Backstage Up Front at Baby Got Bach, with St. Louis Symphony cellist Bjorn Ranheim, February 2012.
Arts & Culture Events for Preschoolers

Family arts events, June 5 & 10

Here are four family friendly (and free!) arts events upcoming in St. Louis that you won’t want to miss.

1. CAM (Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis)
3750 Washington Boulevard, St. Louis
Tuesday, June 5 at 9 am: Stroller Tour of the galleries, FREE, complimentary refreshments.

2. CAM (Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis)
3750 Washington Boulevard, St. Louis
Tuesday, June 5 at 10 am: Play Date, FREE, artist led activities for kids, storytelling, music workshops, complimentary refreshments, and more.

UPDATED! 3. Citygarden
9th and Market Streets in downtown St. Louis
Tuesday, June 5, 12:15 to 12:45 pm: Circus Flora artists perform a special lunchtime show throughout the park. Bertini Troupe on unicycles, Luciano’s Pound Puppies, the St. Louis Arches, and Shayna Swanson are featured. FREE.

4. Laumeier Sculpture Park
12580 Rott Road, St. Louis
Sunday, June 10, noon to 5 pm, FREE: PNC Arts Alive Discover Laumeier Festival. Enjoy tours, arts activities, music, food, artist demonstrations, and more.

Photo: CAM
Arts & Culture Events for Preschoolers

Family fun at Laumeier Sculpture Park’s Art Fair

Art Fair at Laumeier Sculpture Park celebrates its 25th anniversary this May 11, 12, and 13, 2012. Stroll, shop, eat, and play at this nationally acclaimed fine art and craft fair. Enjoy browsing a variety of original ceramics, fiber/textiles, glass, jewelry, mixed media, painting, photography/digital, printmaking/drawing, sculpture, and wood pieces. In addition to seeing the Art Fair booths, your kids can enjoy hands on art activities at the Creation Location, concessions, live performances, and of course the extensive outdoor sculptures located throughout the park.

Friday, May 11  |  6 to 10 pm
Saturday, May 12  |  10 am to 8 pm
Sunday, May 13  |  10 am to 5 pm
12580 Rott Road, St. Louis, MO 63127

Admission
$8 for ages 12 and up
$5 for ages 6 to 11
Laumeier Sculpture Park members are free

Creation Location
The Creation Location area of the Art Fair offers art projects for kids on Saturday, May 12 and Sunday, May 13. This year’s fun projects include “Scenic Shades,” “Striking Structures,” and “Wind Spinners.” On Saturday at 3 pm, be sure to see the entertaining Joe the Juggler and on Sunday at 1 pm, experience the world percussion ensemble, Joia. Both performances take place at the Creation Location.

Concessions
Kid friendly food for sale includes Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, tacos, egg rolls, hamburgers, nachos, funnel cakes, soft pretzels, kettle corn, shaved ice, pizza, and more.

Tips
* If you want to avoid the lines, try to attend on Saturday. Parking is easier and there are fewer children at the Creation Location area.
* Become a member of Laumeier Sculpture Park to help support this worthy nonprofit and to receive complimentary Art Fair admission. Be sure to check if your employer offers a matching gift program to increase your donation.
* Concession lines can get long, especially on Sunday (Mother’s Day), so plan in advance before your kids or spouse has a hunger meltdown.
* The park is large. Remember to bring your cell phones or designate a meeting point before you start exploring the grounds.
* Pets and outside food or drink are not allowed during the Art Fair.
* Encourage your children to find art at the Fair that they like. At many of the booths, the artist is present and ready for questions. Encourage your child to ask about the art making process or what the art means to the artist. Painter Chris Vance from Iowa (booth 10) looks like he may have some conversation starting pieces appealing to youth.
* As tempting as it might be, please do not climb on the sculptures at the park.
* Strollers are a little challenging to navigate on the grass throughout the park, so consider bringing your infant or toddler in a baby sling.
* 2012 Artist List
* 2012 Art Fair brochure (includes Art Fair grounds layout)
* Site map of Laumeier Sculpture Park

Questions? Contact artfair@laumeier.org or call 314.615.5278.

Read my related article, “How to play at Laumeier Sculpture Park,” on St. Louis Sprout & About’s site.

Photos: Jennifer Lin
Arts & Culture Events for Preschoolers

Artsy Summer Camps in St. Louis

There is an abundance of excellent summer camp offerings in the St. Louis region for kids of all ages. Looking for something special for your little arts enthusiast? Here are some suggestions. Classes are filling up quickly, so be sure to register soon. Note, some nonprofit organizations offer discounts for members.

Doesn’t this list make you want to have summer vacation again?

COCA (Center of Creative Arts)
COCA has numerous summer camps located in University City and Creve Coeur that focus on dance, music, visual art, story telling, theater, cooking, clowning, acrobatics, stage combat, comic books, film, legos, photography, pottery, and pretty much anything and everything art related. For ages 3 to 18. Summer camp brochure.

Laumeier Sculpture Park
4 to 6 year olds get to create artwork with composer-in-residence, Eric Hall! Expect fun experiences at these week long outdoor summer camps that explore the Laumeier Sculpture Park’s incredible collection. The average staff to camper ratio is 1:7. For kids ages 4 to 15. The park is located in the Sunset Hills area. Summer camp brochure.

Yucandu Art Studio
Located in Webster Groves, this unique hands on art studio offers small visual art camps for grades K-12. Projects include painting, decoupage, collage, mosaics, and more. For those of you who head scout troops or have a million cousins in the area, Yucandu also offers a special friends and family summer camp designed for 8 to 16 kids.

The College School
Also located in Webster Groves, the Reggio-Emilia geared College School offers all day camps for ages 4 to 15. Arts themed camps include Funtastic Fantasy, Make Your Mark, Junior Circus Skills, Science, Art, and Cooking, and Art by Nature. Summer camp brochure.

Camp Curtain Call at The Magic House
Children ages 8-11 can experience the magic of live theater during a weeklong drama camp at The Magic House. Through activities and games, campers learn about putting on a theatrical production including basic theater terms, line readings, projection, stage directions, rehearsing, props, scenery, and dress rehearsal. Participants present their theatrical production to a live audience and then give a special performance for their families on the last day of camp.

Community Music School of Webster University
Summer opportunities for infants through high school students include a family “zoo train” session for children and their caregivers, band camp, flute camp, low brass week, chamber music camp, strings camp, composing camp, and individual instruction.

Opera Theatre of St. Louis
Youth entering grades fourth through eighth spend a week singing, dancing, writing words and music, making instruments, and learning about costumes and makeup, lighting, and set design. They tour backstage, work with Opera Theatre of St. Louis professionals and leading music educators, and see a performance of Unsuk Chin’s Alice in Wonderland. Located in Webster Groves. Summer camp brochure.

Piwacket Theatre for Children
Located in Maplewood, this delightful children’s theater offers week long camps for children ages 6 to 15. Participants create an original show through games, music, dance, theater, and play.

Craft Alliance
These summer camps are packed with creative art experiences for 4 to 18 year olds. Activities may include working with clay, glass, graphics, metal arts, wearable art, fiber materials, and more. Camps are held at the Delmar studios or the Grand Center studios. Summer camp brochure.

Dave Simon’s Rock School
Band rehearsals, recording studio, private lessons, music appreciation, rock history, song writing, and/or improvisation is offered for students ages 9 to 18. Youth should have at least one month of instrument instruction prior to the beginning of a camp session. Beginners and advanced students are welcome. Located in Olivette.

ArtsINTERsection at New City School
Metro Theater Company’s ArtsINTERsection summer camp is for children ages 4 to 11. The camp offers kids a great place to experience art, music, movement, and drama in a safe and warm environment. Classes are taught by experienced, professional artists and are located near Forest Park.

Photo: COCA


Arts & Culture Events for Preschoolers, Family Friendly Film

Upcoming family arts events in the St. Louis region

March 10, 2012 at 10 am  |  Kidtoons Family Matinees featuring the Gruffalo |  B&B Wildwood 10 with Marquee Suites

See the beautiful and funny Gruffalo film, Pocoyo, and the Wiggles on the big screen. All tickets are $3 and kids under the age of 3 are free. The screening is 72 minutes.

Gruffalo trailer from BBC:

March 16-18, 2012  |  COCA (Center of Creative Arts) |  Treasured Stories by Eric Carle

Part of the COCA Family Theatre Series, this production of music, puppets, and visual effects brings to life the well known Eric Carle stories: The Very Hungry Caterpillar; Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See; and Papa, Please Get the Moon For Me. A Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia production. Tickets $14 to $20.

Sunday, April 1, 2012, 1 to 3 pm  |  COCA (Center of Creative Arts) |  Visual Arts Open Studio

In collaboration with Artmart, the COCA Visual Arts Open Studio offers children an opportunity to work on their own or under the guidance of a visual arts instructor on projects including collage, book making, watercolor painting, paper mache, and more. $8.

Monday, April 2, 2012 at 6 pm  |  Author Mo Willems

Do Piggie and Gerald, Pigeon, and Knuffle Bunny mean something to you? Hear author Mo Willems speak at the St. Louis Country Library Foundation presentation, Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day School on April 2 at 6 pm. Free tickets are required and are available at St. Louis County Library Headquarters or the Daniel Boone library branch. Doors open at 5 pm.

Photo of Mo Willems: Marty Umans
Arts & Culture Events for Preschoolers, Holidays

Upcoming events at COCA and CAM

There are some great events coming up at COCA (Center of Creative Arts) and CAM (Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis) in early February that your family can enjoy.

COCA’s Visual Arts Open Studio  |  Sunday, February 5, 1 to 3 pm  |  $8
In partnership with Artmart, COCA’s Visual Arts Open Studio participants may work on their own or with the guidance of a visual arts instructor on projects including collage, book making, watercolor painting, paper mache, and more.

CAM Stroller Tour  |  Tuesday, February 7, 9 to 10 am  |  FREE
Best for infants to 24 month old children, CAM’s Stroller Tours offer a complimentary light breakfast and an informal tour exploring the current exhibitions.

CAM Tuesday Morning Play Date  |  Tuesday, February 7, 10 to 11 am  |  FREE
Best for ages 2 to 5 years old, these engaging play dates include refreshments, an art project, story time, and movement activities.

CAM Valentine’s Family Day  |  Saturday, February 11, 1 to 4 pm  |  FREE
This event is open to all ages, but the art projects are best for 5 to 12 year olds (younger if your child isn’t easily frustrated or has amazing fine motor skills!). Enjoy the museum’s exhibitions and family activities ranging from artist-led workshops to face painting, storytelling, and more. All visitors wearing red will be entered in a drawing to win a special prize.

Read more about CAM’s family activities in my St. Louis Sprout & About article.

Photo: Jennifer Lin
Arts & Culture Events for Preschoolers, Community

Free vocal recital featuring local high school students

23 students from 16 St. Louis high schools in Opera Theatre of St. Louis’s Monsanto Artists-in-Training program will perform opera arias this Sunday, January 29 at 3 pm, Graham Chapel on the campus of Washington University. The event is free and open to the public. Highly regarded mezzo-soprano Pamela Dillard, who has been coaching the students during a recent artist residency, will also perform at the concert. This is a wonderful opportunity to share classical music with your family and for your school aged kids to see high school students really excel at something that they love.

Currently in its 23rd year, Opera Theatre of St. Louis’s Monsanto Artists-in-Training Program has consistently identified, coached, and encouraged talented singers in St. Louis urban and suburban high schools. Students receive individual weekly coaching and voice lessons by Opera Theatre of St. Louis’s professional staff; two artist residencies conducted by visiting guest artists; numerous chances to attend performing arts events; and a three-day college retreat where they learn about college life and academics. Each spring, the students perform in a free public recital at the Sheldon Concert Hall. To date, more than 170 students have completed the program and Opera Theatre of St. Louis has awarded these graduates more than $335,000 in scholarships to support their college educations. Many graduates have continued to pursue academic degrees and professional careers in music. Artists-in-Training is generously supported by the Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of Monsanto Company, who has been the principal underwriter since the program’s inception.

Photo: Opera Theatre of St. Louis
Arts & Culture Events for Preschoolers

Baby Got Bach: interactive music event for kids

Sponsored by the Centene Corporation, Baby Got Bach in St. Louis is an interactive concert series for kids age 3 to 6. Experience this free, entertaining program praised by the Wall Street Journal, New York Magazine, and hundreds of parents, on Saturday, November 26 at 10:30 am, Centene Plaza, 7700 Forsyth Boulevard. Orli Shaham, a local musician, internationally known pianist, and busy Mom of twins is the founder and artistic director of Baby Got Bach. She will be joined by a quintet of wind players from the St. Louis Symphony.

Although free tickets for this event have already all been distributed as of Sunday, November 20, you may add your name to the Baby Got Bach mailing list to receive information about other upcoming St. Louis concerts on February 18 and April 21, 2012 at 11 am (note the April date is tentative), also at Centene Plaza in Clayton. If your kids are flexible, you can still go to the Saturday, November 26 event without a confirmed reservation and possibly be admitted as space becomes available. I’m sure that not all the people who have confirmed reservations will actually show up (the initial maximum capacity on the event was approximately 200 people). Such is the nature of last minute life with kids, holidays, and of course when tickets are free.

Parking is available for $2 per hour at the Centene Plaza garage. Street parking is another option and is free on Saturdays.

About the event
The first 30 minutes of Baby Got Bach gives kids an opportunity to visit four musical activity stations where they can meet musicians, play with instruments, conduct, and explore music concepts. This portion is followed by a ten minute “jam session” in which the musicians perform songs like “Twinkle, Twinkle” and “Row, Row, Row Your Boat,” while audience members have a percussion instrument to play. Musical terms such as forte and piano will be taught (if your child watches the Disney Jr. show, “Little Einstein’s,” or is a Kindermusik student, she/he will be in the know!). Baby Got Bach concludes with the main stage concert program featuring the following brief pieces:

Bach: Invention in C Major
Berio: Opus Number Zoo (first movement)
Beethoven: Variations on “La ci darem” (selections)
Schumann: Fantasy Pieces (no. 3) for clarinet and piano
Mozart: Quintet for piano and winds (third movement)
Ligeti: Bagatelles No. 1 & 3 for wind quintet and piano
Rimsky-Korsakov: Flight of the Bumblebee (transcription for wind quintet and piano)

Baby Got Bach brings much joy, fun, and a quality musical experience for the preschool set and their caregivers. If you are able, feel free to make a tax-deductible donation of any amount to this worthwhile nonprofit organization.

About Orli Shaham, Artistic Director, Host, and Pianist
Orli Shaham got an early start in her music career. She began playing piano at age four, and got her first music scholarship when she was five. Just a couple years later, she began her studies at The Juilliard School with Herbert Stessin. That was the beginning of a flood of prestigious performances and awards, launching her international career. Ms. Shaham has performed with many of the world’s great orchestras and has been lauded for her recitals at Carnegie Hall, the 92nd Street Y, and Lincoln Center, as well as many other renowned concert halls around the globe. Ms. Shaham has preschool twins Nathan and Alex and college-age stepsons Peter and Jonathan. She lives in St. Louis and New York with her husband, St. Louis Symphony conductor David Robertson.

Photo: Ali Winberry
Arts & Culture Events for Preschoolers, Dance

COCA’s Friday morning performances

The Center of Creative Arts (COCA) presents an entertaining and well-priced family theater series each year. In addition to the regular evening and afternoon performances this season, COCA welcomes individuals or groups (preschool classes, book clubs, or school groups) to purchase tickets for their special Friday morning performances.

On Friday, November 18 at 10:30 am, the Dallas Children’s Theater performs Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters. When a great African king desires a wife, only the most perfect maidens in the land are invited to meet him. Combining authentic African drumming, powerful and majestic choreography, and thrilling original music, the splendor of Zimbabwe will burst onto stage in this Caldecott Award winning Cinderella tale. Tickets are $8 per person. The show lasts approximately one hour.

On Friday, December 9 at 10:30 am, COCA’s Ballet Eclectica presents The Little Dancer: Exploring the Color Palette, a story ballet filled with dazzling costumes, a wide range of choreographic styles, and projections of artwork from the St. Louis Art Museum. The Little Dancer is a heartwarming tale of the girl depicted in artist Degas’s statuette who comes to life and dances through beautiful works of art. The production is directed by Amy Scheers with guest choreographers. Tickets are $8 per person. The show lasts approximately one hour.

Call Box Office Specialist Shelley Salinas at 314.725.6555, ext. 124 to reserve your tickets or visit COCA’s front desk (524 Trinity Avenue) in person for this special offer.

While you’re at COCA, check out their classes, workshops, and camps for the whole family. We are lucky to have such a incredible arts facility in St. Louis!